Alliance Française de Toronto

Alliance Française de Toronto

Design: Hariri Pontarini Architects

ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE TORONTO UNVEILS ITS SPECTACULAR NEW FACILITY DESIGNED BY HARIRI PONTARINI ARCHITECTS

(Toronto, February 21, 2012) In 2012, the Alliance Française de Toronto (AFT) celebrates 110 years of service to the Toronto community. To meet the growing need for educational, cultural and programming space, the AFT is planning a new facility designed by renowned Canadian firm Hariri Pontarini Architects. On February 21, 2012 AFT unveiled designs for the new building at its current location on Spadina Road at Lowther Avenue, in the heart of Toronto’s “cultural corridor.” The project is made possible by a generous gift from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, as well as AFT continued support of its members and donors. The Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Ontario government which fosters the growth of vibrant communities and works to improve the quality of life of Ontarians by supporting outstanding community organizations.

photo Courtesy of Hariri Pontarini Architects

The expansion responds to a critical need for space due to an increasingly high demand for French language education, cultural programming, and multi-purpose community spaces. Hariri Pontarini Architects have designed a state-of-the-art centre that will add 11,000 square feet of space to the current building – doubling its size. The increased floor space will allow the AFT to reach an even larger audience through its diverse range of francophone cultural programming.

Hariri Pontarini Architects, established in 1994, is an internationally acclaimed Canadian firm known for creating modern landmarks such as the Bahá’í Temple for South America, McKinsey & Company headquarters in Toronto, and the Governor General’s Medal-winning Schulich School of Business. Founding partners, Siamak Hariri and David Pontarini, have been committed to delivering innovative and quality design during their 18 year of practice. This commitment supports the firm’s expertise and reputation in the development of significant cultural, institutional and mixed-use projects-nationally and internationally.

The construction of the new facility coincides with an expansion in programming and community partnerships which add to the AFT’s already extensive list of activities that include art exhibitions, social events, lectures, and performances. Partnerships with Ryerson University and the Royal Conservatory of Music will expand the mandate of the AFT beyond language education and take advantage of the building’s many features which will include a theatre, café, 10 smart classrooms, and a high-tech 150-seat performance space.

About the Alliance Française de Toronto

Established in 1902, Alliance Française de Toronto has 4 locations in the GTA: downtown Toronto, Mississauga, North York, and Markham, and is the second largest Alliance Française in North America, after New York City. AFT is a registered charitable organization run by a Canadian Board of Directors, and is dedicated to promoting the use of French and the appreciation of cultures that share the French language in their common heritage.